Linocut: Tools And Materials

      To start an adventure with Linocut, I should learn basic information about the equipment and material. Basic kits that allow you to start working with Linocut can be found for just a few pounds. These kits usually include: cutting tools, lino, an ink roller (may be known as a brayer), ink and paper. Basic kits that allow you to start working with Linocut can be found for a few pounds in hobby stores or online.

Essdee Linocut Taster Kit

    Other useful items when working with linoprint will certainly be: a cutting mat, a craft knife, pencils, markers, and rulers. Set query, tracing paper and masking tape may also be useful.

    The best material for cutting out designs using the linocut method is linoleum (lino). An alternative option for Lino is Japanese vinyl and Softcut. Their advantage is that they come in larger sizes than linoleum, so they are a better option for large projects. However, they have a plastic, rubber quality, which means they do not have the same range of textures as linoleum. Considering Lino's ecological properties, many designers choose this material. Linoleum is "manufactured from a mixture of oxidized linseed oil, cork dust and pine resin with a backing of hessian or jute material" (N, Morley, 2016). Lino is an easily available product, it can be found in hobby and art stores as well as online stores. 

Linoleum

    I  will pay more attention to ink and material. There are different variants depending on what we intend to use the cut designs for. In my project, I intend to use them for transferring onto fabric, so I pay attention mainly to paints that are suitable for working with textiles. The best way is to make samples, with different variations. However, according to N. Morley (2016), if I want to use water-based ink (due to its environmental friendliness), I can use cotton as the transfer material. Natural textiles work well with water-based ink and also absorb paint well.

N. Morley, 2016, Linocut for artist & designers, p.136-137

Referencing List: 

Morley, N. (2016) Linocut for Artists & Designers. Wiltshire: The Crowood Press

ARTdiscount (no date) Essdee Linocut Taster kit, ARTdiscount. Available at: https://artdiscount.co.uk/products/essdee-linocut-taster-kit?variant=40762300563538&currency=GBP&utm_medium=smart_campaign&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=gs-2018-10-30&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwiMmwBhDmARIsABeQ7xTXjhRWNw9W_5Adj0vCNFscmt84P1_Rp_oUi_xA3I6us8aMbcr0FjQaAl3REALw_wcB (Accessed: 07 April 2024).